Tray support system

ABSTRACT

A removably mountable tray support device for attachment of a tray to articles of furniture, especially those having upholstery or substantial padding. The device has a clamping assembly with a generally C-shaped frame and has a means for manually securing the device to a portion of upholstered furniture. A bracket attached to the frame extends outwardly therefrom preferably in a horizontal orientation to receive alone, or in combination, a tray or similar item to provide a temporary table surface. Posts may be provided to support the bracket and thereby increase the stability of the surface.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention described herein relates generally to attachments that can be removably mounted on a piece of furniture or the like in order to support a complementary piece of furniture. More particularly, the present invention relates to a tray support assembly as above described that can be removably mounted to the back or arm of a sofa or chair, or similar pieces of furniture, and may be used alone or in combination to support the surface of a sofa table, end table or the like.

[0002] Even if a modern home is furnished adequately for day-to-day living, it is often the case that a temporary need will arise for additional table or shelf space, as when entertaining a large group of guests. Similarly, circumstances may arise when a table or shelf is needed either for individual convenience or to attend to the elderly or infirm. There is, therefore, a need for a sturdy, inexpensive and simple means for providing temporary furnishings that can be attached to existing furniture and later removed without damage thereto.

[0003] Attachment devices that attach to furniture to provide an auxiliary function are well known in the art. U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,709,563 and 4,728,069 respectively disclose a tray support and an article attachment that clamp to the edge of the horizontal surface of a table and function as receptacles for holding various items. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,709,891 discloses a support bracket that clamps to a vertically disposed surface for holding advertising displays. However, these devices either employ a cantilevered support which is inherently limited by the rigidity of the clamp, or limit instead the position of the attachment to a location close to the clamp. This poses a problem when there is no rigid edge to which a clamp can be affixed, therefore limiting the weight that the attachments of the prior art can support.

[0004] This problem is especially evident in the case of a contemporary sofa or chair wherein the frame is covered with heavy padding and upholstery that is not conducive to rigid clamping. In such a case, the prior art attachment devices have shortcomings related to their clamping and support geometry and would not provide a reliable means of support.

[0005] The present invention provides a support attachment that overcomes the problems of the prior art that is removably mountable to the vertical side edge of a piece of furniture, including upholstered furniture, in such a manner that provides substantial support for complementary furniture such as sofa tables and end tables and the objects placed thereon.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] According to the present invention, a tray support assembly or device is removably mountable on any article of furniture including those with upholstery for supporting objects in the same way as a tabletop or a shelf. In one embodiment of the invention, a frame having a shape generally defining an opening adapted to receive some portion of an article of furniture has a clamp to tighten the frame to the furniture. A bracket connected to the frame supports a tray or other device on which articles can be placed. In an alternate embodiment, the frame is provided with a series of hooks that engage the furniture in addition to the clamp to increase the stability of the support. In another embodiment, the frame is formed of two adjustable parts to permit its opening to be adjusted to the size of the furniture to which it is attached. In a further embodiment, a support leg is provided between the bracket and the floor to increase the load capacity of the tray support assembly.

[0007] The tray support assembly herein described can be used alone or in combination with other tray support assemblies to accommodate a larger tray and further increase its load capacity. These and other objects will become apparent, as will a better understanding of the concepts underlying the present invention, by reference to the detailed description that follows taken with the drawings in which:

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention attached to an article of furniture.

[0009]FIG. 2 is a side view showing the presently preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0010]FIG. 3 is a side view of an alternate embodiment of the invention.

[0011]FIG. 4 is a side view of still another embodiment of the invention.

[0012]FIG. 5a is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the clamp of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0013]FIG. 5b is a perspective view showing an alternate embodiment of the clamp of the invention as shown in FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014]FIG. 1 shows a pair of tray support assemblies 10, 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention installed on the arm 102 of sofa 100. As shown, frames 12, 12 have a shape that conforms to the contour of arm 102 of sofa 100. Brackets 14, 14 are individually connected to frames 12, 12 and have lips 24, 24 protruding upward therefrom. Clamp 16 (second clamp 16 not shown) is threaded and is shown journalled within frame 12. Support posts 42, 42 rest on the floor and are connected to brackets 14, 14. Tray surface 40 is rectangular and is shown placed lengthwise across brackets 14, 14 between frames 12, 12 and lips 24, 24. The components of tray support assemblies 10, 10 may be made of any suitable material such as metal or reinforced plastic. Similarly, support posts 42, 42 may be made of suitable material such as metal or plastic and may be made adjustable in length, for example, being formed of segments 44, 46, 48 that are preferably either telescoping or otherwise adjustable in length.

[0015] The tray support assemblies 10, 10 provide support for tray surface 40 when attached to sofa 100. During use, clamps 16 are driven by their threaded surfaces toward arm 102 of sofa 100 until firmly engaged therewith. As discussed in greater detail below, clamps 16 retard the movement of tray support assemblies 10, 10 relative to sofa 100, thereby providing vertical support for tray surface 40 via brackets 14, 14. Further vertical support for brackets 14, 14 is provided by support posts 42, 42 which complement the action of clamps 16 in preventing movement of tray support assemblies 10, 10 by extending from brackets 14, 14 to the floor. When positioned on the back or arm of a sofa 100 as shown, this configuration of the present invention permits objects or other loads (not shown) to be supportably placed on tray surface 40, tray surface 40 thereby functioning as a sofa table or end table.

[0016]FIG. 2 shows one of tray support assemblies 10, 10 of FIG. 1 in greater detail. Frame 12, is shaped to conform generally to the contour of the article of furniture to which it is attached. In this case, frame 12 is generally C-shaped, and has an inner 26 and an outer 28 end defining opening 30. Bracket 14 is attached to the outer end 28 of frame 12 and clamp 16 is mounted at the inner end 26 of the frame 12. Clamp 16 comprises threaded shaft 18, journalled within a threaded bore (not shown) in frame 12. A thumb wheel 20 is attached to the end of shaft 18 on the outside of frame 12, and thrust plate 22 is attached to the inside end of shaft 18 within opening 30. Bracket 14 has lip 24 extending upward therefrom.

[0017] During use, one or more tray support assemblies 10 are positioned on the back or arm of a sofa, chair or other suitable surface of an article of furniture so as to support a tray or other device on which articles can be placed. Specifically, the arm or back of a sofa, for example, is received within opening 30 in frame 12 of each tray support assembly 10. Thumb wheel 20 on each frame 12 is rotated, driving shaft 18 until the thrust plate 22 of clamp 16 is in contact with the sofa, locking frames 12 thereto. After the frames 12 have been secured, brackets 14 should be level. A tray 40 as shown in FIG. 1 is then placed on and supported by brackets 14 and held in place within the recess created between lip 24 and the outer end 28 of frame 12.

[0018]FIG. 3 shows an alternate embodiment of the tray support assembly 10 of the present invention wherein the inner end 26 of frame 12 is provided with hooks 32. Clamp 16 is shown on outer end 28 of frame 12 and joumalled within a bore therethrough (not shown). The hooks 32 may be made of the same material as frame 12 or of a similar suitable material. Hooks 32 are preferably biased against the tendency of frame 12 to move due to moment M created by force F which is applied to bracket 14 by the objects placed thereon. In this case, hooks 32 are shown biased upward. Thrust plate 22 is shown with pin 34 extending into opening 30.

[0019] When an article of furniture is locked within opening 30 by clamp 16, pin 34 pierces the clamped furniture to resist movement of frame 12 due to force F.

[0020] Simultaneously, hooks 32 frictionally engage the furniture to further resist movement of frame 12 and act to prevent the frame 12 from rotating or sliding relative to the furniture. Thus, hooks 32 increase the stability of bracket 14, and permit the relocation of clamp 16 to outer end 28 of frame 12 where it can be out of the way.

[0021]FIG. 4 shows another alternate embodiment of the invention wherein frame 12 has a second interconnected component, sliding member 12 a. Clamp 16 is provided at the interface between frame 12 and sliding member 12 a, and two sets of hooks 32 directed into opening 30 are provided on the frame, one set on sliding member 12 a, and the other on frame 12. To adjust the size of opening 30 to permit the tray support assembly 10 to be mounted on the article of furniture (not shown) sliding member 12 a is moved relative to frame 12 until the desired dimension or form is achieved. Clamp 16 is then tightened to lock the two components, frame 12 and sliding member 12 a, together. Hooks 32 secure the frame 12 relative to the furniture.

[0022] Lip 24 is omitted from this embodiment, and replaced by slip-retardant or adhesive surface 33 disposed on bracket 14. During use, this configuration permits trays of varying sizes to be securely placed on and supported by bracket 14.

[0023]FIGS. 5a and 5 b show in greater detail possible variations in the clamp 16. In FIG. 4a, the thrust plate 22 is shown slightly convex, and having a slip retarding surface 36, such as rubber, disposed thereon. Such a construction would be appropriate for attachment to furniture having upholstery such as leather that is easily scuffed or damaged by piercing. FIG. 4b shows thrust plate 22 of clamp 16 having pin 34 and a surface with a plurality of spike-like protrusions 38. When attached to furniture upholstered with cloth, a good frictional contact can be obtained by insertion of pin 34 into the upholstery, and by the gripping action of spikes 38. By employing various combinations of the frames and clamps described, the present invention can accommodate articles of furniture having many different shapes and materials.

[0024] While the foregoing description and accompanying figures illustrate several preferred embodiments of the tray support assembly 10 in accordance with the present invention, it will be appreciated that certain modifications may be made to the structure of the disclosed embodiment without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims which are set forth immediately below. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A tray support assembly for removable attachment to an article of furniture comprising: a frame having at least two ends and an opening defined by said at least two ends adapted to receive a portion of said article of furniture, a clamp attached to said frame to permit said frame to engage a portion of said article of furniture for securement thereto, and a bracket attached to said frame and supported thereby.
 2. The tray support assembly of claim 1 wherein said frame has a generally C-shaped back portion between said at least two ends.
 3. The tray support assembly of claim 1 further comprising a support post coupled to said bracket.
 4. The tray support assembly of claim 3 wherein the length of said support post is adjustable.
 5. The tray support assembly of claim 1 wherein said clamp includes a threaded screw.
 6. The tray support assembly of claim 1 wherein said bracket is adapted to receive a portion of a tray.
 7. The tray support assembly of claim 6 wherein said bracket is provided with a lip extending therefrom to hold said tray in place relative to said bracket.
 8. The tray support assembly of claim 6 further comprising means disposed on said bracket to prevent sliding of said tray from said bracket.
 9. The tray support assembly of claim 1 wherein hooks extending into said opening are provided to engage said portion of said article of furniture and prevent sliding relative thereto.
 10. The tray support assembly of claim 1 wherein said frame has a threaded bore to receive said clamp, said clamp further comprising: a threaded shaft disposed within said bore; a thrust plate attached to said shaft and extending into said opening for engagement with said portion of said article of furniture.
 11. The tray support assembly of claim 10 wherein said thrust plate is convex in shape and has a slip retarding material disposed thereon.
 12. The tray support assembly of claim 10 wherein said thrust plate has a pin and a plurality of spike-like protuberances extending into said opening therefrom.
 13. A tray support assembly for removable attachment to an article of furniture comprising: a frame having two parts slidably interconnected and having an opening defined by said two parts adapted to receive a portion of said article of furniture, a clamp attached to secure the two parts of said frame to each other, and a bracket attached to one part of said frame and supported thereby.
 14. The tray support assembly of claim 13 wherein said two parts of said frame are interconnected at a common junction.
 15. The tray support of claim 14 wherein said clamp is attached at said junction to permit selective securement of said frame. 